Palloff and Pratt (n.d.) have identified the following main elements
that make up an online learning community: people and the purpose that connects
them together; process, such as the rules of engagement among community members;
social presence and how it gets developed. Learning in online learning
communities is a shared responsibility in which every member of the community
including the student and instructor contributes to the learning process while
supporting each other.
Social presence and community building
The benefits that arise when a course is delivered using the learning
community concept include student satisfaction, reduction in attrition rates,
increased positive perception about learning, and increased motivation to
succeed. Online learning communities can be sustained by improving the levels
of social presence among participants (Palloff and Pratt, n.d.). Social presence helps to improve learner comfort levels and the sense of
being around other participants. Recent
research has shown that social presence contributes positively to learning
outcomes and learner satisfaction (Palloff & Pratt, 2005). Social presence has also been identified as one of the “most
significant factors in improving instructional effectiveness and building a
sense of community” (Aragon, 2003, p. 57).
Strategies for sustaining social presence
Aragon
(2003) has recommended the following strategies for creating and sustaining social
presence in online environments: welcome messages from the instructor; student
profiles at the beginning of the course; use of audio messages; class sizes of
not more than 30 students per instructor; use of collaborative learning
activities; active participation in discussion boards by students and the
instructor; providing frequent feedback to students; sharing personal stories
and experiences; addressing students by name and allowing students options for
addressing the instructor.
References
Palloff, R. & Pratt, K. (Walden University
Palloff, R. & Pratt, K. (2005). Online learning communities
revisited. 21st annual
conference on distance earning and teaching. Retrieved from
http://www.uwex.edu/disted/conference/resource_library/proceedings/05_1801.pdf
Thank you for a great post, and the initial image helped me construct a visual model for how all the components work together to create the educational experience. Your post reminds me of how crucial it is for the instructor to set the tone of the experience. On my blog post, I shared a video from a student who was frustrated with his teacher's lack of passion for her subject or the future of her students. In the online environment, effort must be taken to make a good first impression to inspire and engage the learner. What are some methods you have seen used by instructors throughout your online learning experience that have "hooked" you into the course and created a sense of interest or wonder?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Tisch. Instructor presence has been an important factor in sustaining my interest in online courses. I have also been motivated by the personal feedback that instructors give during the first week to each student during class discussions. Instructors also advise students that although they might not respond to every post, any responses that they provide to some students’ posts will actually be for the benefit of the whole class. I therefore make it a point to follow as many responses from the instructor as possible and this sometimes leads me to a valuable class mate’s post that I might not have read earlier.
ReplyDeleteI am following your blog.
ReplyDeleteHilary,
ReplyDeleteYou raise some good points here about social presence. Social presence can be defined as the ability of participants to identify with a group, communicate in a trustworthy environment, and develop social relationships by expressing their individuality (Wilcoxson, 2011). This can apply to students as well as instructors. Social presence should be incorporated by instructors to avoid isolation by regularly contacting students in early weeks via email or phone (Laureate Education, n.d.). This not only helps to engage them in the course, but also gives the instructor an opportunity to show their concern for students on a personal level. Online forums and discussion boards can help instructors to further establish their social presence to convey their background and knowledge. Even though most online instructors utilitze the discussion board, some are not very active in participation (Wang, 2010). It can enhance interaction and help guide learning when instructors are involved in the discussion by commenting on students’ posts.
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (n.d.). Online Learning Communities [video]. Retreived May 9, 2013 from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_2651291_1%26url%3D
Wang, H. (2010). Eight Ways to Increase Social Presence in Your Online Classes. Retrieved May 12, 2013 from http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/eight-ways-to-increase-social-presence-in-your-online-classes/
Wilcoxson, K (2011). Building An Online Learning Community. Retrieved May 12, 2013 from http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/eight-ways-to-increase-social-presence-in-your-online-classes/
Sidindih,
ReplyDeleteGreat post for this week.
Technology appears to have been a hot topic this week to begin blogs or included in blogs. I agree Technology plays a critical role in online learning because it “mediates the separation between teacher and learner” (Sumner, 2000, p. 271) and helps to provide online learners with equivalent learning experiences to face to face learning environments (Simonson, n.d.). I would like to add never underestimate the need to know the technology skills of the students. One of the initial steps in course development is determining which tools will be used in the course. Once the instructor determines the course requirements, the skill level of the students needs to be determined ( Conrad & Donaldson, 2011). If you a new to the online learning environment the best advice is to Keep It Simple(KIT)